The stars move in for Chicago Jazz Festival

It's Chicago Jazz Festival time, that most wonderful time of the year for Chicago Jazz aficionados as it brings a sonic bounty that all collects at Pritzker Pavilion.

It's Chicago Jazz Festival time, that most wonderful time of the year for Chicago Jazz aficionados as it brings a sonic bounty that all collects at Pritzker Pavilion. (Rockland L. Page / Tribune illustration)

Will the sound at the Von Freeman Pavilion and the Jazz and Heritage Pavilion in Millennium Park be any better than last year? Will the images on the gargantuan LED screen continue to dwarf the musicians on the Pritzker Pavilion stage? Will the amateurish announcers still prattle on?

We soon will know.

Following is a critical guide to the most promising shows. For more information: 312-744-3316 or chicagojazzfestival.us.

Sam Grossner: A specialist in ragtime and stride idioms, pianist Grossner kicks off a three-night series of events at Chicago's shrine to the piano, the PianoForte Studios (broadcast live on WDCB FM 90.9). 5:30 p.m. Monday at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave.; free, but reservations recommended; 312-291-0291 or pianofortefoundation.org

"Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise" and "Mystery Mr. Ra": The Chicago Jazz Festival will salute the centennial of jazz iconoclast Sun Ra with screenings of two films about him. 6 p.m. Monday in the Claudia Cassidy Theater of the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; free; 312-744-6630 or chicagoculturalcenter.org

Matthew Shipp: The grand finale of PianoForte's piano recital series will feature Shipp playing music from his profound new album, "I've Been to Many Places" (Thirsty Ear). Though Shipp has performed periodically in Chicago, the chance to hear him unveiling new music on a top-notch Fazioli piano is worth seizing (broadcast live on WDCB FM 90.9). 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at PianoForte Studios, 1335 S. Michigan Ave.; free, but reservations recommended; 312-291-0291 or pianofortefoundation.org

Chris Foreman Trio: The Chicago organist kicks off 41/2 hours of music at the Chicago Cultural Center, with performances unfolding in three rooms. Foreman, a soulful soloist best known for Friday sets at the Green Mill Jazz Club in Uptown, will play at noon and will be followed by the Erwin Helfer/John Brumbach Duo playing traditional boogie and blues at 1:30 p.m. in the Cultural Center's Randolph Square. More experimental fare will come from reedist Keefe Jackson's Likely So at 12:15 p.m. and saxophonist David Boykin's Expanse at 1:45 p.m. in the Claudia Cassidy Theater. More mainstream traditions will be celebrated by Brazilian guitarist Paulinho Garcia's quintet at 12:30 p.m. and the Judy Roberts/Greg Fishman Duo at 2 p.m. in Preston Bradley Hall. In addition, the popular lecture-demonstration "What Is This Thing Called Jazz?" will start at 3:15 p.m. in the Claudia Cassidy Theater. At the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.; free; 312-744-6630 or chicagoculturalcenter.org

Sun Ra Panel Discussion: The next installment in the festival's examination of Sun Ra's legacy will feature John Szwed, author of "Space Is the Place: The Lives and Times of Sun Ra," in conversation with Sun Ra Arkestra veteran Marshall Allen and writer John Corbett. Before the talking begins, saxophonist Allen will play a brief set. 4 p.m. Thursday at Roosevelt University's Ganz Hall, 430 S. Michigan Ave., seventh floor; free

"Homage to Nelson Mandela: Ernest Dawkins' Memory in the Center, an Afro Jazz Opera": Chicago saxophonist-bandleader Dawkins has penned many suites exploring key moments in American cultural history, such as "Untill Emmett Till" and "A Dream Come True or a Dream Deferred?" He returns to large-scale composition with this tribute to Mandela, featuring a large jazz ensemble and narration by Khari B. 6:30 p.m. at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park

Aug. 29

Howard Alden/Andy Brown Quartet: Guitarists Alden and Brown, who have recorded beautifully together, are reunited. 12:30 p.m. at the Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (on Millennium Park's North Promenade).

Joshua Abrams Quartet: Bassist Abrams has been a key figure in Chicago's new-music scene for years and here steps into the spotlight as leader. He'll be joined by vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, saxophonist David Boykin and drummer Frank Rosaly. 1:10 p.m., Von Freeman Pavilion (on Millennium Park's South Promenade, near the Cloud Gate sculpture)

Paul Marinaro Quintet: The Chicago Jazz Festival was slow on the uptake, missing Chicago singer Marinaro as he was making a national splash last year via his breakthrough album, "Without a Song." Now the fest catches up. 2 p.m., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion

Myra Melford: The adventurous, impossible-to-categorize pianist began her studies and career in the Chicago area and developed into an intellectually provocative improviser. She'll lead a quintet. 7:10 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion

Terence Blanchard: New Orleans trumpeter Blanchard may be best known for his film scores for an array of Spike Lee films, from "Mo Better Blues" to "Malcolm X" to the searing documentary "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts." He'll be joined here by saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and guitarist Lionel Loueke. 8:30 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion

Aug. 30

Jones College Prep Jazz Combo: The Jones ensemble kicks off a series of student-band performances at 11:30 a.m., followed by Pritzker College Prep Jazz Combo at 12:15 p.m.; Curie Metropolitan High School Jazz Ensemble, 1 p.m.; Elmhurst College Jazz Ensemble, 1:55 p.m.; Morgan Park High School Jazz Ensemble, 2:50 p.m.; and Kenwood Academy Jazz Ensemble, 3:45 p.m. At the Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage on the Harris Theater Rooftop

John Wojciechowski Quartet: A first-class saxophonist who also happens to be a high school bandleader, Wojciechowski has been playing more high-profile dates during the past year or so. Bravo for that. 2:20 p.m., Von Freeman Pavilion

Kurt Rosenwinkel: It's a pity this great jazz guitarist, who draws a youthful young audience and sounds like no one else in jazz, didn't get slotted onto the main stage Pritzker Pavilion. Even so, any opportunity to hear him is worth taking. 3:30 p.m., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion

Tammy McCann Quintet: Chicago's next vocal star celebrates the release of her newest album, "Love Stories." She'll be joined by pianist Laurence Hobgood, as sensitive an accompanist as any in jazz. 1:10 p.m., Von Freeman Pavilion

Jason Adasiewicz's Sun Rooms: A brilliant vibraphonist who is redefining the scope of the instrument, Adasiewicz marks the recent release of the band's newest album, "From the Region." 2 p.m., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion

Sun Ra Arkestra: The finale of the festival's tribute to Sun Ra will feature a contemporary version of the jazz revolutionary's ensemble, led by Sun Ra alum Marshall Allen. Whether it's possible to recapture the frenzy and fervor of the original remains to be heard, but it's sure worth trying. 8:30 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion

MORE IN A&E

We'll have more coverage by Howard Reich of the Chicago Jazz Festival in Sunday's A&E section and on chicagotribune.com.